Merry Fake Christmas!

The Saturday before the real day

I left the Christmas coziness of my house,

and arrived at the coziness of another, in time for some togetherness with my Kooistra people.

Not yet Christmas day, 

Sunday morning dawned close enough to celebrate,

so I got myself busy in the kitchen in preparation for

a Christmas feast!

[This is a charming picture, and the only one taken of the enjoyment of the spread...enjoyment, indeed.]

 Then, it was time for stockings!

[We love stockings. Such goodies!]

 The rest of the afternoon unwrapped itself,

 with anticipation

and surprise;

 with joy,

 appreciation,

 and met needs.

Even our littlest member got in on the action,

saying 'Hey guys! It's so exciting!...

It might not be the day of, but it's ours.  A Merry Fake Christmas!!'

Photo Fun

Confession:  Photo Booths are not one of my favorite things.

BUT:

this girl IS.

So, at her party?

I jumped right in.

And--though I hate to admit it--

I had a great time.

With these good friends...

...and with these women living life with me....

FUN.

Turning 30 Requires Celebrating!

Our Sara had a little birthday recently,
and we set ourselves out to celebrate.

Ginger and I slinked around behind her back all week,
making secret preparations at secret locations.

Then?

It was time.

We invited a small group of friends to a small dinner, where we talked and laughed and dwelt in warm feelings for the event and the girl bringing us all together.

Then, we returned to our house, which Sara had been banned from for the day, and where these secretly baked cakes were waiting patiently for people to descend, hungrily.

When they arrived they found a variety of things
that are near and dear to Sara's heart,

 like a note-writing station,

 a photo booth,

 good conversation,

 thoughtful gifts,

and games along a theme.

Since she was leaving for Rwanda the next day, Curt (the game master) and Katy Stu (who was absent but contributed her own masterful game ideas) put together Rwandan Survival type games.

We took it very seriously.

[Hooray!]

 There was a jewelry making contest,

a fire-building contest,

and a harvesting showdown.

There was even a demonstration of effective communication,
in the language of those Sara would soon be communicating with.  

Then, we showed her a little video we put together in one of her favorite styles: Gangnam.

 It. Was. Hilarious.

After all the hilarity had been had,

all the celebrating complete,

we gathered together, to document:

 Happy Birthday dearest friend,

we love you!